A Reader Writes... Senior Elementary School - Part 2

In response to the 1/30/14 post, “Senior Elementary School – Part 1,” a LYS Elementary Teacher Writes:

SC,

Thank you!

Because of the quality of the middle schools in my district I did not let my children go to a traditional middle school.  I enrolled them in a magnet school through 8th grade and they did very well transitioning to high school.

SC Response

As a public school advocate, middle schools cause me the greatest amount of heartburn.  There are fewer great ones in comparison to elementary and high schools. And what passes for “good” in most districts is really are only “not bad.”  I’m not blaming anyone for the current state of middle schools, for this is a case of doing what we have always done.  But I do take issue with leadership teams that realize that things could be better but lack the morale conviction and intestinal fortitude to do anything about it. 

It is because of this that my advice to middle school parents is different than my advice to other parents:

“Don’t be shy. Know the principal, know the assistant principal, know the teachers and make sure all of them know you. Because it is all too easy for your child to get lost in the shuffle.”

Something that evidently you also observed in the district your children attended. Fortunate for your children; not so much for everyone else.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

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